Utah received a lot of attention for successfully housing more than 90% of its chronically homeless residents over the past decade, but the tools to equip these individuals to succeed don’t just end with a safe place to call home.

We just completed the first year of a pilot program that funds expungement assistance for formerly chronically homeless Utahns. By clearing petty crimes from their record, these individuals can take advantage of new opportunities in housing or employment.

Interested participants in the program cannot have more than five convictions and certain types of felonies can disqualify them. Examples of petty crimes considered in this program include sleeping in public or riding transit without paying the fare.

Fox13 recently took a look at the program. You can watch the storyhere. For more information about initiatives to address homeless, visit housing.utah.gov.

*Every Wednesday, Workforce Services takes a special look at issues or initiatives that affect Utah's workforce. Hop on Twitterto follow the latest innovations that help Utahns take their careers to the next level. #WorkforceWednesday